Rocket Classic Champion Abruptly Withdraws Before the Final Round of John Deere Classic originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The John Deere Classic is heading into a thrilling final round on Sunday, with defending champion Davis Thompson holding a narrow one-shot lead at 15-under after carding a solid 67 on Saturday. Right behind him are Max Homa, Brian Campbell, David Lipsky, and Emiliano Grillo, all tied at 14-under. Ireland’s Seamus Power is also lurking, just three shots back, as the chase for the title heats up at TPC Deere Run.
But while the battle at the top is getting intense, one surprising name has exited the stage Aldrich Potgieter. The 20-year-old South African, who was just three shots off the lead heading into Saturday, has withdrawn from the tournament after a rough third-round 76. He dropped to 4-under and tied for 58th before deciding to pull out, with no official reason provided by Potgieter or PGA Tour officials.
Just last week, Potgieter was the toast of the tour after capturing his maiden PGA Tour title at the Rocket Classic in Detroit. That win made headlines as he became one of the youngest international players to triumph on tour, showcasing incredible poise under pressure.
Aldrich Potgieter is a WD following the third round of the John Deere Classic.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) July 5, 2025
Despite Saturday’s stumble, Potgieter was expected to play the final round, making his WD all the more unexpected. It’s possible the move was made with next week’s Genesis Scottish Open in mind, where he’s already listed in the field. Potgieter had taken a month-long break before his Rocket Classic victory, saying it was to “recharge” and adjust to new equipment.
While fans were hoping for another strong finish this week, they’ll now have to wait and see what Potgieter brings to the table in Scotland. For now, the focus shifts to Sunday’s finale and a potential title defense history in the making for Davis Thompson.
Related: Max Homa Shares Honest Take Amid John Deere Classic
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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